Exercise machine back seat for children

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an exercise machine back seat for children with a support framework adapted to be secured to the base of an exercise machine at its rear, the framework includes a frontal member including means to secure the support framework to an exercise machine, means to attach a child seat, a laterally extending rear support frame, a child seat secured to said support framework, wherein the support framework is adapted to provide an access space between the back seat and an exercise machine.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to exercise machines commonly known as exercise bicycles even though this nomenclature has a tendency to be somewhat misleading. For exercise purposes the mechanical operation of the common exercise bicycle is intended to be similar to the common street bicycle. This similarity, however, is directed to the mechanical operation of the street bicycle as to rider positioning and work loading of the rider's musculature. On a street bicycle the rider's position is adjusted for in individual rider and tipping over torque is resisted by the centrifugal force of the spinning wheels. Also, steering is required. Thus, attachments such as trailers and children's seats are commonly secured to the street bicycle frame at the seat post.

THE PRIOR ART

US published pending patent application 2002/0096857 to Valdez and Black (herein US PPA'857) shows an example of the complex mechanical structures that are required to deal with the number of variables involved in street bicycles and their attachments. In US PPA'857 there are attachments to both an elevated seat location and a rear axle location and fitment is determined by a standardized bicycle frame structure.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,823 issued in 1986 to Yang demonstrates a fundamental structure difference in an exercise machine. The rider location is varied on a user basis in relation to the fixed musculature loading devices by a selection of pins. Variations are quickly arranged by removal and replacement of these pins and the effort required is minimal.

Any additional elements added to the rear of such an exercise bicycle would greatly encumber its use with a variety of riders by interfering with the ready adjustment of rider position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a rear child carrier seat for an exercise machine and particularly an exercise bicycle without foregoing disadvantages and which is inexpensive to manufacture and simple to store, install and use and which does not interfere with the ordinary functioning of the exercise machine over a variety of its riders.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a back child carrier seat for an exercise bicycle without the foregoing disadvantages which is highly adaptable to a variety of individual makes, is structurally sound, is simple and economical to manufacture, install and use and also provides for ready access for both the rider and the back seat child. Tipping over torque is resisted at the base support structure.

The present invention also provides for an access space between the exercise machine framework and the back seat usable by the ordinary rider and the rider with an accompanying child.

Further, the present invention provides an exercise machine back seat for children with a support framework, adapted to be secured to the base of an exercise machine at its rear, the framework including a frontal member including means to secure the support framework to an exercise machine, means to attach a child seat, and, a laterally extending rear support frame, a child seat secured to said support framework, wherein the support framework is adapted to provide an access space between the back seat and an exercise machine.

LIST OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the back seat of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of seat of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the seat of FIG. 1 taken along the line A-A of FIG. 2.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 inclusive wherein the back seat generally depicted as at 1 is shown attached to the rear of a typical exercise bicycle generally depicted as at 30.

The exercise bicycle 30 may be composed of a cycle-type framework of tubular elements 31 upon which is mounted a rider seat 32. Rider seat 32 and/or support frame element 31 are provided with any of a variety of longitudinal and vertical rider position adjustment mechanisms (not shown) along axes 32A and 32B. Further typically, bicycle 30 is supported at its rear upon a laterally extending cross-bar 33 at floor level.

The back seat 1 of the invention comprises an child carrier seat 2 and a support framework 3. Child carrier seat 2 is preferably of a molded plastic configuration typically available as part of an child carrier seat for bicycles for ease of manufacture and assembly of the within preferred embodiment 1.

Framework 3 is preferably formed from welded and bolted tubular steel materials.

Framework 3 is provided with a point of attachment 4 where it is adapted to be attached to and interconnected with the cycle framework 30. Point of attachment 4 includes a pair of removable bolts preferably aligned along vertical axes 16 and a fitment plate 5 so as to be removably attached to cycle framework 30 and provide structural integrity to the joint. Point of attachment 4 is preferably at or below the mid-point of cycle frame 30 and is preferably adjacent the floor as in FIG. 1.

Framework 3 preferably includes a laterally extending rear support frame 8 which is adapted to reduce the likelihood of the rear child carrier seat tipping over when in use when acting in conjunction with point of attachment 4. Most preferably framework 3 and cycle frame 30 become a single unitary structure when in use.

Frontal framework member 7 extends rearward of cycle frame 30 and is preferably narrow and substantially sloped to the rear as at 7 a in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 1 the shape and slope of member 7 acts in conjunction with point of attachment 4 to provide a substantial space or void 34 in the overall structure of child carrier rear seat 1 and cycle frame 30 when fully assembled.

Framework 3 includes a rear support 9 which preferably includes a pair of spaced apart rear support legs 9 a and 9 b as shown in FIG. 1. Support legs 9 a and 9 b may be laterally outwardly sloped as at 19 in FIG. 1 or vertical as in FIG. 3.

Rear support is formed into a seat support 10 which includes a lateral support spacing 15 and seat support members 13 to which seat 2 may be attached by conventional means without substantial alteration. Seat support is narrowed as at 14 so as to pass through seat leg cavity 20 and join with member 7.

Preferably framework 3 includes a longitudinal support 18 between member 7 and rear support 8.

As shown in FIG. 3 in another embodiment, member 7 may be formed of parallel members 7 a and 7 b while rear support members 9 a and 9 b may vertical in frontal view, for ease of manufacture and added support strength.

In FIG. 3 support 18 is joined to both members 7 a and 7 b.

Seat support 10 is preferably sloped to the rear as at 40 in FIG. 3 so as to accommodate the typical child carrier seat to which it is bolted along axes 41 a and 41 b.

Rear support frame 8 may include a support plate 42 and removable bolts aligned along axis 43 in FIG. 3.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that specific embodiments have been described modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. 

1) An exercise machine back seat for children comprising: a) A support framework adapted to be secured to the base of an exercise machine at its rear, said framework including: i) a frontal framework member including means to secure the support framework to an exercise machine, ii) child seat attachment means, and iii) a laterally extending rear support frame, b) A child seat secured to said support framework, c) Said support framework adapted to provide an access space between the back seat and an exercise machine. 2) An exercise machine back seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said frontal framework member is sloped rearwardly when in use. 